2007 Ford Escape Driving Your SUV or Truck 1st Printing - Page 20

Loading Your Vehicle Loading and securing cargo When using your vehicle to haul cargo, make sure it is properly loaded to help ensure safe handling of the vehicle. You should tie down or restrain items in the cargo area so that they will not come loose and create the risk of injury in a crash. Cargo should be evenly distributed over the floor of the cargo area, with the heaviest cargo on the bottom and ahead of the rear axle. Never allow people to ride in the cargo area of your vehicle. People who are not riding in seats with their safety belts fastened are much more likely to be injured or killed in a collision. Loading cargo on the roof Cargo placed on the roof will tend to make your vehicle more top heavy, causing it to lean more in corners and creating a greater possibility of vehicle rollover. If you must haul cargo on the roof of the vehicle, use extra caution when loading the vehicle and when driving. Cargo on the roof rack should be properly secured and evenly distributed over the roof rack area, with the heaviest cargo on the bottom, near the front of the roof rack area. Any load placed on the roof rack should not exceed the maximum load roof rack load allowed for the vehicle. 20 2007 Four Wheel Drive (4wd) Supplement USA (fus)